Lord of the Rings coin collection to go on sale in Dorset
A large collection of modern commemorative coins are set to sell for more than £3,000. The privately owned collection from a deceased estate in Horsham, West Sussex will be sold at auction by Charterhouse Auctioneers, in Sherborne, Dorset, later this month.The collection includes a large variety of silver and cupronickel coins ranging from year-proof coins sets to Lord of the Rings commemorative sets.Auctioneer Richard Bromell said: "This coin collection is very special and attractive because of its link to history."
This collection comes with plastic protective cases, boxes and associated paperwork and will be on sale on Thursday 27 February.The Royal Mint has been issuing annual sets since 1971.Mr Bromell explained that "everyone collects something, it might not be commemorative coins but most people have a passion for something".The auctioneer said he has seen people collect "far more unusual things than coins" and one of his clients liked to collect combine harvesters."We've even sold a collection of motorbikes which came all the way from Japan," he said.
"We are all custodians of our collection, which we enjoy for as long as we can before passing it on," he said."Coins are easy to collect, quite simple to look after and don't take up much space."They are a wonderful thing to accumulate."
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Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
‘My pub takes less than 50p a week in copper coins. They're not worth my time'
Pub owner Tom Archer is examining a two pence piece with the kind of fascinated curiosity you might expect from someone who's found an ancient Roman coin in their back garden. He's put a few aside on the bar from the last time someone paid for a pint with a few coppers in The White Horse Inn, Essex. 'Honestly, we get less than 50 copper coins a week these days,' he says. 'I don't even put them in the till any more – they're not worth bagging up. So they just accumulate here and we dump them into charity boxes every so often.' It seems faintly ridiculous that Archer would rather lose money on the price of a pint than cash the full sum up. But he reckons it actually costs him more to process copper coins than they're worth. 'Think of it this way,' he says. 'You have to allow for the time it takes to count up coppers and bag them up. Then I've got to go to a bank and pay them in – and the banks are shutting everywhere so it's a fair old route to find one. 'So if the minimum wage is £12.21, that's over a pound for every five minutes of effort. See what I mean – it genuinely is costing me more to pay someone to count a pound of coppers than they're actually worth. Just get rid of them, I say; I don't think anyone would truly miss them.' Of course, contactless payments are largely the root cause of the decline in use of cash, and last July no new coins of any denomination were ordered by HM Treasury from The Royal Mint. Officials decided there were enough coins – an estimated 27 billion – in circulation. But while no one was suggesting pound coins were on the way out, the move caused enough debate for a Treasury spokesman to have to stress that they were not scrapping coppers. But are they more hassle than they're worth? Archer's experience in The White Horse Inn is being repeated across the country. The Pavilion Cafe in Didsbury Park, South Manchester is a vibrant, popular place for coffees, lunches and summer ice-creams, a genuine community hub. Its duty manager Ayesha Malik takes time out from making a cappuccino to show me the till. 'See the 1ps and 2ps in there,' she points. 'They've literally not been touched for two weeks. I can't think of the last time anyone actually paid in coppers, and we've not given any change out in them either.' Unlike Tom Archer, it's not that taking coppers to the bank is an added irritation for Malik and The Pavilion Cafe. It's that they just don't need to very often anyway. They just sit in the till as an unused float. Malik rummages in the tip jar on the counter. 'Look, there's only one copper in there as well,' she says. 'People just don't have them in their pockets any more.' What's interesting about the Pavilion Cafe's experience is that they're run by a charity called Didsbury Good Neighbours, set up specifically to offer support to older people in its community. The presumption might be that this particular age group would be put out by any changes to denominations – or indeed the move to a more cashless society. 'Far from it,' says Malik. 'We know our customers, and I'd say only 10 per cent of them use cash now anyway. They tell us it's far easier to use a contactless card rather than fiddling around trying to find the right coins. And for those that are happier using cash, we're pleased to welcome them – but it's higher denominations than coppers they tend to have anyway.' All of which begs the question, who is actually using the millions of copper coins – which are actually made of copper-plated steel – currently in circulation? Archer's make their way to charity donation boxes, and Malik talks fondly of the museums that make a game out of rolling two pence pieces into a collection area. But even some charities are seeing copper use dwindle. Caroline Tomlinson is CEO of award-winning Standish-based charity My Life, who work with people of all ages and abilities who need support. 'We are really fortunate to have great backing in the community for what we do,' she says. 'And we've always been really clear that our operating model wouldn't be reliant on charitable donations as people need our person-centred services to live their lives to the full. 'Still, we have collection boxes, and they've been used as a way to support and enhance still further what we do. They used to be full of copper coins. Now it's noticeable how much emptier they are. 'That's not just because of the cost of living and pressures on people's money – as acute as they are. My instincts are that people just don't have spare coppers in their pockets as much as they used to.' Of course, one place you will still see copper coins is on the famous twopenny shove machines at traditional seaside resorts. Oddly, every arcade operator we speak to is reluctant to go on the record about their copper use. Perhaps they don't want to lift the veil on just how many 2ps it will take to tip the balance and shove a punter's precious stake back into the black. 'We must be keeping the Royal Mint in business,' jokes one employee of a traditional arcade in England's North West. 'What's telling is that you used to have people coming in with their own 2ps to slot in the machine. Now they have to ask us for a pound's worth, because they don't have many themselves. 'For a business like ours, we're used to having a high turnover of coppers so it's not really an issue to be banking them. But I don't use them in my local shop, either.' Ultimately, then, any pang for copper coins is largely driven by nostalgia for those two penny slots or one penny chews. Go into any high street shop and it's striking that the days when, say, a £4.99 price point would be used as a psychological marketing tool to get something for under a fiver are well and truly over. Everything has been rounded down or up into multiples of five or ten. A pint of milk is 85p. The RPI for a loaf of bread has been at £1.40 for over a year now, rather than £1.39 or £1.37 as it was in the past. So the 1p and 2p are effectively redundant as change. 'Prices for pints in pubs now are in multiples of 20 pence,' confirms Archer. The UK isn't alone in seeing a decline in the use of smaller coin denominations. Three weeks ago, the US treasury confirmed the end of the penny after Donald Trump had told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in February to stop minting the coins, calling them wasteful. It transpired that they cost more to produce than they were worth. Might the UK now follow suit? An HM Treasury spokesman said that while they continue to monitor the amount of coins in circulation, they were confident there were still enough in the system to meet demand. ' Cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK,' the spokesman said, 'and we have no plans to change the denominational mix of coins.' Of course, it's the Royal Mint who ultimately manufacture coins in response to demand from the industry. What do they feel about the future of coppers? 'It's not unusual for some denominations not to enter circulation in certain years,' said a Royal Mint spokesman. 'The existing 1p coins will be replaced with those bearing King Charles III's effigy over time as they become damaged or worn and to meet demand for additional coins. Ensuring that cash circulates effectively and is readily accessible across the UK is essential, and we're always looking at ways to support this.' All of which means Tom Archer is likely to be popping coppers in an Essex charity box for a while yet. Even he, though, maintains cash still has a place. 'I'd say about 20 per cent of our income is in cash now, and actually it is useful; it means we can pay our casual staff – legally of course – that way,' says Archer. 'And also, you do have the issue of what happens when you have a power cut or a payment system blackout. 'So it's important that you do have both – it's just the denominations are wrong at the moment.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Rare coin sells for over 300 times its value on eBay – exact detail you need to look for on your spare change
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITS have been urged to rifle in their pockets and check down the backs of sofas, after a rare coin sold for 300 times its value. Cash is being used less and less in Britain, with some companies even now refusing to take cash payments. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Could you have a rare coin amongst your spare change? Credit: Getty 3 The Kew Gardens 50p is the second rarest coin in active circulation 3 A Kew Gardens 50p recently sold for £157 Credit: eBay But although many prefer the convenience of contactless cards and see loose change as an annoyance, it can actually be extremely valuable. The rarest coin currently in active circulation is His Majesty King Charles III's 50p coin, depicting the Atlantic Salmon, with just 200,0000 of the coins back in 2023. Following close behind, the Kew Gardens 50p, released in 2009, is the second rarest coin, with 210,000 in active circulation. The highly sought-after collectable, which features the Kew Gardens pagoda, recently caused a storm on eBay, with a 25 bid showdown resulting in one of the rare coins being sold for £157, which is over 300 times its value. It is worth checking your piggy bank and sorting through any spare change for the coin, as it could end up earning you enough for a posh meal or a flight abroad. However, the Royal Mint warned that the coin may be tricky to find in your purse, as they are often snapped up by collectors. 'Nothing gets people excited quite like this original 2009 design", it said. "Just 210,000 were released into circulation and with almost all of them in private hands, the chances of coming across one in your change are slim.' It added: "The venerable institution depicted on the Kew Gardens 50p coin is the nation's most famous royal botanical garden. 'The reverse design, created by Christopher Le Brun RA, features the famous Chinese Pagoda at Kew with a decorative leafy climber twining in and around the tower. Best beer announced and sport's giant accused of RRP meddling 'Demand for the 50p denomination was not high at the time of release into circulation which explains the low mintage of this particular design.' The Atlantic Salmon 50p is also a highly sought-after collector's item, and often sells for huge sums on eBay. Last week, an Atlantic Salmon coin sold on eBay for a whopping £69, after a fierce 16 bid showdown. On October 7 one coin sold for £164 with six bidders fighting for the prize. Most rare and valuable 50p coins WE reveal the Royal Mint's most rare and valuable 50p coins in circulation. Triathlon Minted in 2011, the Triathlon 50p depicts the same sport which featured in the 2012 Olympics. There are more than 1,160,000 of the coins in circulation. With over 200million 50ps circulating in the UK, that makes this coin quite a rare find. The highest recent sale we've found on eBay recently was £30 on June 21. Judo Judo is a popular sport that involves grappling with your opponent. But despite the design, it's not so easy to get a hold of this coin, of which there are just 1,161,500 in circulation. The piece was designed by David Cornell after he won a national competition. It was minted in 2011 and the highest bid we've seen on eBay was for £17.95 on June 21. Wrestling Wrestling was one of the first Olympic sports so it's not surprising that it features on one of the 50p pieces. The 2011 coin was designed by Roderick Enriquez, a graphic designer from Hammersmith, London. We've seen it sell for as much as £15 online so is worth digging around for. In recent months, one was sold on eBay for £11.95 on June 18. Football Of all the coins created to commemorate the 2012 Olympic Games, the 50p Football is among the rarest. It features an explanation of the controversial offside rule on it, with 1,125,000 produced. One sold for £20 on eBay on June 11, although it has been known to go for as much as £75 in the past. Kew Gardens The Kew Gardens 50p is the rarest of all the 50p pieces, with only 210,000 in circulation. They have been known to sell for as much as £895 on eBay before. The design was created by Christopher Le Brun RA and features the famous Chinese Pagoda with a leafy chamber that twists around the tower. The coin often sparks the interest of new coin collectors due to its rarity. The highest sale we found in recent weeks was £142 on June 22 with 23 bids. Another sold for £147 on December 16 with a whopping 37 bids. If you're ever unsure of how much a coin should be sold for, it helps to look at what prices other people are listing. You can also run it through Change Checker's Scarcity Index to get a sense of its value. How to Sell A Rare Coin If you're lucky enough to find a rare coin amongst your spare change, you can sell them through online marketplaces such as eBay. You can also sell coins via auction, through the Royal Mint Collector's Service. If you choose to do it this way, a team of experts will authenticate and value your coin, and advise you on how to sell.
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Rare coin sells for over 300 times its value on eBay – exact detail you need to look for on your spare change
BRITS have been urged to rifle in their pockets and check down the backs of sofas, after a rare coin sold for 300 times its value. Cash is being used less and less in Britain, with some companies even now refusing to take cash payments. 3 But although many prefer the convenience of contactless cards and see loose change as an annoyance, it can actually be extremely valuable. The rarest coin currently in active circulation is His Majesty King Charles III's 50p coin, depicting the Atlantic Salmon, with just 200,0000 of the coins back in 2023. Following close behind, the Kew Gardens 50p, released in 2009, is the second rarest coin, with 210,000 in active circulation. The highly sought-after collectable, which features the Kew Gardens pagoda, recently caused a storm on eBay, with a 25 bid showdown resulting in one of the rare coins being sold for £157, which is over 300 times its value. It is worth checking your piggy bank and sorting through any spare change for the coin, as it could end up earning you enough for a posh meal or a flight abroad. However, the Royal Mint warned that the coin may be tricky to find in your purse, as they are often snapped up by collectors. 'Nothing gets people excited quite like this original 2009 design", it said. "Just 210,000 were released into circulation and with almost all of them in private hands, the chances of coming across one in your change are slim.' It added: "The venerable institution depicted on the Kew Gardens 50p coin is the nation's most famous royal botanical garden. 'The reverse design, created by Christopher Le Brun RA, features the famous Chinese Pagoda at Kew with a decorative leafy climber twining in and around the tower. Best beer announced and sport's giant accused of RRP meddling 'Demand for the 50p denomination was not high at the time of release into circulation which explains the low mintage of this particular design.' The Atlantic Salmon 50p is also a highly sought-after collector's item, and often sells for huge sums on eBay. Last week, an Atlantic Salmon coin sold on eBay for a whopping £69, after a fierce 16 bid showdown. On October 7 one coin sold for £164 with six bidders fighting for the prize. Most rare and valuable 50p coins WE reveal the Royal Mint's most rare and valuable 50p coins in circulation. Triathlon Minted in 2011, the Triathlon 50p depicts the same sport which featured in the 2012 Olympics. There are more than 1,160,000 of the coins in circulation. With over 200million 50ps circulating in the UK, that makes this coin quite a rare find. The highest recent sale we've found on eBay recently was £30 on June 21. Judo Judo is a popular sport that involves grappling with your opponent. But despite the design, it's not so easy to get a hold of this coin, of which there are just 1,161,500 in circulation. The piece was designed by David Cornell after he won a national competition. It was minted in 2011 and the highest bid we've seen on eBay was for £17.95 on June 21. Wrestling Wrestling was one of the first Olympic sports so it's not surprising that it features on one of the 50p pieces. The 2011 coin was designed by Roderick Enriquez, a graphic designer from Hammersmith, London. We've seen it sell for as much as £15 online so is worth digging around for. In recent months, one was sold on eBay for £11.95 on June 18. Football Of all the coins created to commemorate the 2012 Olympic Games, the 50p Football is among the rarest. It features an explanation of the controversial offside rule on it, with 1,125,000 produced. One sold for £20 on eBay on June 11, although it has been known to go for as much as £75 in the past. Kew Gardens The Kew Gardens 50p is the rarest of all the 50p pieces, with only 210,000 in circulation. They have been known to sell for as much as £895 on eBay before. The design was created by Christopher Le Brun RA and features the famous Chinese Pagoda with a leafy chamber that twists around the tower. The coin often sparks the interest of new coin collectors due to its rarity. The highest sale we found in recent weeks was £142 on June 22 with 23 bids. Another sold for £147 on December 16 with a whopping 37 bids. If you're ever unsure of how much a coin should be sold for, it helps to look at what prices other people are listing. You can also run it through Change Checker's Scarcity Index to get a sense of its value. How to Sell A Rare Coin If you're lucky enough to find a rare coin amongst your spare change, you can sell them through online marketplaces such as eBay. You can also sell coins via auction, through the . If you choose to do it this way, a team of experts will authenticate and value your coin, and advise you on how to sell.
